Ball mark repair tool with golf club handle and method

ABSTRACT

A ball mark repair tool includes an extension member, a ball mark repair head, and a head couple joining the ball mark repair head to the extension member. The ball mark repair tool is useful for repairing ball marks in a golfing green without causing discomfort to a user. Particularly, the ball mark repair too includes a handle resembling a golf club handle and being of a suitable length to repair a ball mark without requiring the user to bend over.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/370,529 filed Aug. 3, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to the field of golfing of existing art and more specifically relates to ball mark repair tools.

RELATED ART

The sport of golf is typically played on a golfing green, an area of smooth, closely trimmed grass suitable for making precision golfing strokes. Golfing greens are constructed with relatively flat contours and gentle slopes so that golf balls may roll with little resistance. However, when a golfing stroke is executed, the green may be damaged by the impact of the golf ball into the green as it creates a depression known as a ball mark. These ball marks are detrimental to the function of the green when other golfers attempt to put golf balls across it.

A ball mark repair tool, also known as a ball mark tool, is used to repair these ball marks. Ball mark repair tools may be carried by golfers to repair their ball marks following a golfing shot. Ball mark repair tools typically have one to two tines extending from a grip or stem. The tines typically are 1 to 2 inches in length, with the overall tool having a length of approximately 3 inches. To repair a ball mark, a user pushes the tool next to the mark and pushes gently inwards from all sides, loosening the compacted turf to allow rapid regrowth of grass, and then flattens the mark with the smooth flat bottom of a putter to smooth the putting surface.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,609 to Albert D. Kassen relates to a golf club with green surface repair device. The described golf club with green surface repair device includes extendible fork enclosed in a housing mounted directly on the grip or handle end of a golf club, preferably a putter. The fork is extendible from the housing where it is held by a detent mechanism in order to repair ball marks in the green. When the fork is extended, the club is inverted and grasped by the putter head for use in repairing the turf without the golfer's bending or stooping over.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known ball mark repair tools art, the present disclosure provides a novel ball mark repair tool with golf club handle. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a ball mark repair tool with golf club handle.

A ball mark repair tool is disclosed herein. The ball mark repair tool includes an extension member, a ball mark repair head, and a head couple joining the extension member to the ball mark repair head. The ball mark repair tool is suitable for repairing a ball mark caused by a golf ball impacting a golfing green. The extension member has a handle end, a tool end, and is defined by a particular length and an axis corresponding to the length of the shaft. The ball mark repair head is a tool having at least one tine for repairing the ball mark. The head couple is configured to mechanically, and in some embodiments permanently, couple the tool end of the extension member to the ball mark repair head.

According to another embodiment, a method for repairing a ball mark without bending over is also disclosed herein. The method for repairing a ball mark without bending over includes firstly, providing a ball mark tool as above; secondly, inserting the tines of the ball mark repair head into the turf surrounding the ball mark; thirdly, applying leverage to the extension member in order to raise the turf surrounding the ball mark to the level of the surrounding, undamaged turf; fourthly, repeating the process of inserting the ball mark repair head and subsequently applying leverage at various points surrounding the ball mark; and finally, withdrawing the ball mark repair head from the turf when the repair is completed.

For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a ball mark repair tool with golf club handle, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball mark repair tool in an in-use condition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the ball mark repair tool of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the ball mark repair tool of FIG. 1 detailing the handle and the angles of the ball mark tool, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of the head couple of the ball mark repair tool of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of use for repairing a ball mark without bending over, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a ball mark repair tool and more particularly to a ball mark repair tool with golf club handle as used to improve the repair of a ball mark without requiring the user to bend over.

Generally, the ball mark repair tool provides golfers with a method for repairing golf ball marks on golfing greens. Specifically, it enables users to repair ball marks without the need to bend over. This offers a golfing aid for individuals with limited mobility or back and knee problems. It can be used to aerate ball marks and promote growth on the course. The present disclosure replaces heavier tools often used by maintenance workers to repair greens. The tool is advantageous in that does not require much physical exertion to operate. The ball mark repair tool may be attached to a standard long golf club shaft, so as to be used by hand while standing in an upright position. The tool may be sealed to the club handle to prevent moisture from entering. Additionally, the ball mark tool head may be made to be flexible enough to be bent into various positions by a user. In a preferred embodiment, the length of the tool may measure approximately thirty-eight inches long, enabling maximum comfort for use and allowing the device to be stored in a golf bag when not in use. When golfing, the device can be inserted into the green in an upright position so that no bending is needed to retrieve it. The exact specifications may vary.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of a ball mark repair tool 100.

FIG. 1 shows a ball mark repair tool during an ‘in-use’ condition 50, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Here, the ball mark repair tool may be beneficial for repairing a ball mark without bending over. In particular, the ball mark repair tool 100 is configured to repair a ball mark 10 by being configured to penetrate sod 20 and being dimensioned and sized such that a user 40 may aerate and/or repair the ball mark 10 without bending over. As illustrated, the ball mark repair tool 100 may include an extension member 110, a ball mark repair head 120, and a head couple 130 joining the extension member 110 and the ball mark repair head 120.

Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as user preferences, design preference, structural requirements, marketing preferences, cost, available materials, technological advances, etc., other handle or ball mark tool head arrangements such as, for example, ergonomic handles, alternative ball mark tool tines, etc., may be sufficient.

According to one embodiment, the ball mark repair tool 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. The kit 105 may include a set of instructions 107. The instructions may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the ball mark repair tool 100 (such that the support device 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner).

FIG. 2 shows the ball mark repair tool 100 of FIG. 1 in isolation, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the ball mark repair tool 100 may include the extension member 110, the ball mark repair head 120, and the head couple 130 joining the extension member 110 and the ball mark repair head 120. According to one embodiment, the ball mark repair tool 100 may include an interface seal 140 is configured to seal head couple 130 against liquid intrusion.

The extension member 110 includes a handle-end 112, a tool-end 114, and a shaft-axis 116. The ball mark repair head 120 includes a first tine 122 and may further include a second tine 124. The first tine 122 and the second tine 124 of ball mark repair head 120 may have a length on the order of 1-2 inches, may be tapered, and may be made of strong, weather-resistant material such as steel and the like.

The head couple 130 is configured to mechanically couple ball mark repair head 120 to extension member 110 proximate tool-end 114 of extension member 110. In a preferred embodiment, head couple 130 is configured as a permanent couple.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the ball mark repair head of the ball mark repair tool 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the ball mark repair tool 100 may include the extension member 110, the ball mark repair head 120, the head couple 130, and the interface seal 140.

According to one embodiment, the extension member 110 may be embodied as or otherwise include a golf club shaft 115, which may further include a golf club handle 113 at the handle-end 112 (FIG. 2) of extension member 110. Accordingly, the golf club handle 113 may be fixed to the golf club shaft 115.

As above, the interface seal 140 is configured to seal head couple 130 against liquid. Interface seal 140 may be embodied as or otherwise include a moisture resistant sleeve affixed to ball mark repair head 120 and extension member 110. The interface seal 140 may be configured to prevent moisture from reaching head couple 130.

The first tine 122 and second tine 124 may be oriented parallel to each other, and extend from extension member 110 along a first dig-axis 126. A shown, the first dig-axis 126 of first tine 122 and second tine 124 may be parallel (and also coaxial) with the shaft-axis 116. According to one embodiment, the first tine 122 and the second tine 124 may be reconfigurable so as to extend from extension member 110 along a second dig-axis 128, the second dig-axis 128 being different than first dig-axis 126.

As shown, the extension member 110 may have a length 118 that extends between its handle-end 112 and its tool-end 114, along shaft-axis 116. The length 118 may be set at least twenty-four inches. Further, the length 118 may be set at less than forty-eight inches. In a preferred embodiment, length 118 of extension member 110 may be between thirty-four inches and forty-two inches. In another preferred embodiment, length 118 of extension member 110 may be thirty-eight inches.

FIG. 4 is a detail view of the head couple of the ball mark repair tool of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, the head couple 130 may alternately include a separable couple. In particular, the head couple 130 may include a threaded shaft 132 and a threaded receiver 134. The threaded shaft 132 may be configured to mate with threaded receiver 134. The threaded shaft 132 may be fixed to one of the extension member 110 and the ball mark repair head 120, and the threaded receiver 134 may be fixed to the other of extension member 110 and ball mark repair head 120. In a preferred embodiment and as shown, the threaded shaft 132 may fixed to the extension member 110, and the threaded receiver 134 may be fixed to the ball mark repair head 120.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for repairing a ball mark without bending over, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, the method for repairing a ball mark without bending over 500 may include one or more components or features of the ball mark repair tool 100 as described above. As illustrated, the method for repairing a ball mark without bending over 500 may include the steps of: step one 501, providing a ball mark repair tool including an extension member having a handle-end, a tool-end, a shaft-axis, and a length extending between the handle-end and the tool-end along the shaft axis, the length being at least twenty-four inches, a ball mark repair head including a first tine configured to repair a ball mark, and a head couple configured to mechanically couple the ball mark repair head to the extension member proximate the tool-end of the extension member; step two 502, inserting a ball mark repair head into a turf surrounding a ball mark; step three 503, applying leverage to the extension member to raise the turf surrounding the ball mark; step four 504, repeating the process of inserting the ball mark repair head and applying leverage at various points surrounding the ball mark; and step five 505, withdrawing the ball mark repair head from the turf.

It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for repairing a ball mark without bending over, are taught herein.

The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. 

What is claimed is new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:
 1. A ball mark repair tool comprising: an extension member having a handle-end, a tool-end, a shaft-axis, and a length extending between the handle-end and the tool-end along the shaft axis, the length being at least twenty-four inches; a ball mark repair head including a first tine configured to repair a ball mark; and a head couple configured to mechanically couple the ball mark repair head to the extension member proximate the tool-end of the extension member.
 2. The ball mark repair tool of claim 1, wherein the extension member includes a golf club shaft.
 3. The ball mark repair tool of claim 2, wherein the extension member includes a golf club handle at the handle-end of the extension member, the golf club handle fixed to the golf club shaft.
 4. The ball mark repair tool of claim 1, wherein the head couple includes a threaded shaft and a threaded receiver, the threaded shaft fixed to one of the extension member and the ball mark repair head, the threaded receiver fixed to the other of the extension member and the ball mark repair head, the threaded shaft configured to mate with the threaded receiver.
 5. The ball mark repair tool of claim 4, wherein the threaded shaft is fixed to the ball mark repair head and the threaded receiver is fixed to the extension member:
 6. The ball mark repair tool of claim 1, wherein the head couple is a permanent couple:
 7. The ball mark repair tool of claim 1, wherein the head couple is a separable couple:
 8. The ball mark repair tool of claim 1, further comprising an interface seal configured to seal the head couple against liquid.
 9. The ball mark repair tool of claim 8, wherein the interface seal includes a moisture resistant sleeve affixed to the ball mark repair head and the extension member, and configured to prevent moisture from reaching the head couple.
 10. The ball mark repair tool of claim 1, wherein the ball mark repair head further includes a second tine.
 11. The ball mark repair tool of claim 10, wherein the first tine and the second tine of the ball mark repair head are tapered, and are configured to penetrate sod.
 12. The ball mark repair tool of claim 1, wherein the length of the extension member is less than forty-eight inches.
 13. The ball mark repair tool of claim 1, wherein the first tine and the second tine of the ball mark repair head are made of steel.
 14. The ball mark repair tool of claim 10, wherein the first tine and the second tine are parallel to each other, and extend from the extension member along a first dig-axis.
 15. The ball mark repair tool of claim 14, wherein the first dig-axis of the first tine and the second tine is parallel with the shaft-axis.
 16. The ball mark repair tool of claim 14, wherein the first tine and the second tine are reconfigurable to extend from the extension member along a second dig-axis, the second dig-axis different than the first dig-axis.
 17. A ball mark repair tool comprising: an extension member having a handle-end, a tool-end, a shaft-axis, and a length extending between the handle-end and the tool-end along the shaft axis, a ball mark repair head includes a first tine configured to repair a ball mark; a head couple configured to mechanically couple the ball mark repair head to the extension member proximate the tool-end of the extension member; and an interface seal configured to seal the head couple against liquid; and wherein the extension member includes a golf club shaft; wherein the extension member includes a golf club handle at the handle-end of the extension member, the golf club handle fixed to the golf club shaft; wherein the head couple is a permanent couple; wherein the interface seal includes a moisture resistant sleeve affixed to the ball mark repair head and the extension member, and configured to prevent moisture from reaching the head couple; wherein the ball mark repair head further includes a second tine; wherein the first tine and the second tine of the ball mark repair head are tapered, and are configured to penetrate sod; wherein the length of the extension member is thirty-eight inches; wherein the first tine and the second tine of the ball mark repair head are made of steel; wherein the first tine and the second tine are parallel to each other, and extend from the extension member along a first dig-axis; wherein the first dig-axis of the first tine and the second tine is parallel with the shaft-axis; and wherein the first tine and the second tine are reconfigurable to extend from the extension member along a second dig-axis, the second dig-axis different than the first dig-axis.
 18. The ball mark repair tool of claim 17, further comprising set of instructions; and wherein the ball mark repair tool is arranged as a kit.
 19. A method of repairing a golf ball mark in a golfing green, the method comprising the steps of: providing a ball mark repair tool including an extension member having a handle-end, a tool-end, a shaft-axis, and a length extending between the handle-end and the tool-end along the shaft axis, the length being at least twenty-four inches, a ball mark repair head including a first tine configured to repair a ball mark, and a head couple configured to mechanically couple the ball mark repair head to the extension member proximate the tool-end of the extension member; inserting the ball mark repair head into a turf surrounding a ball mark; applying leverage to the extension member to raise the turf surrounding the ball mark; repeating the process of inserting the ball mark repair head and applying leverage at various points surrounding the ball mark; and withdrawing the ball mark repair head from the turf. 